10th annual Juneteenth Celebration Saturday in Macomb

Thursday

Jun 13, 2013 at 5:45 AM

By Jackie Smithjsmith@McDonoughVoice.com

When Macomb began hosting a Juneteenth Celebration a decade ago, it was only the third city in Illinois to do so.

Between 200 and 250 people would attend those earlier festivities, according to Belinda Carr, director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center at Western Illinois University. Now, she said more than 2,000 likely attend.

"It brings both the campus community and the Macomb community together around this celebration that allows people to come and enjoy good food for free (and) lots of entertainment," Carr said, adding, "We attract people from Quincy, from Springfield, from Galesburg, that come and have come in for a number of years."

Area residents will get the chance to have an "educational, fun-filled day" this weekend during the 10th annual Juneteenth Celebration. The event starts at 4 p.m. Saturday in Chandler Park with WIU President Jack Thomas and Macomb Mayor Mike Inman presenting opening remarks and a Juneteenth proclamation.

Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865 — the term combining "June" and "nineteenth," as the holiday itself is on June 19.

Saturday's event, however, will include various entertainment. Jonathan Blanchard, Carr said, will give a concert on the history of the Negro Spiritual. Additionally, she said there will be gospel singers and a children's youth group will perform.

Festivities will also include arts and crafts, three inflatables, storytelling and free food samplings.

Carr pointed out the benefit of the event, as there are "not many things for free of this nature" in Macomb.

The director said the event is "well supported" by the community and local businesses.

Working the event Saturday, Carr said, will be 48 volunteers — dressed in "safety orange"-colored T-shirts.

Charhonda Rodgers, a WIU graduate assistant, is in charge of coordinating this year's volunteers. She said the group had its orientation Tuesday.

The student said volunteers include people from out of town, as well as WIU students and community members. She said it seemed those involved were interested in what the event celebrates.

"I worked with (the event) last year, and pretty much, I think people are enthusiastic about the celebration of when slaves were freed," Rodgers said. "They want to help out as much as they can."

Like Carr, Rodgers encouraged local residents to attend.

"They should come out because it's an educational opportunity, as well as a social opportunity to get to know people in your community, and it's great food," Rodgers said. "Of course, everybody loves free food."

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